Clive Graham Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 6m 5.70s

Ship Of The Fen^p¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: C J Todd⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 105

5/1

Fairly useful 2m winner on the Flat who made promising start over fences when runner-up at Uttoxeter (2½m) last month. Not in the same form next time, though, and stamina for this trip is doubtful.

Form: 5/63F25

Railway Muice^p,t¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR: 104

11/4

Opened hurdles account at twenty-fourth attempt in Kilbeggan handicap last month. Followed-up in good style back chasing for new yard at Market Rasen (23f) recently and big player despite 12 lb rise.

Form: 554711

Achy Breaky Heart^t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: P J Brennan| T: M F Harris| OR: 84| D

7/4

Made every post a winning one when seeing off 2 rivals on second start over fences at Newton Abbot (3¼m) in July. Clear of the rest when runner-up over same C&D last time and she needs considering.

Form: 76-1442

Blue N Yellow^p1⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: C Gethings| T: T R George| OR: 83

10/3

Tricky customer who ended 2020 in disappointing fashion. Still, efforts at Worcester and Stratford since returning from a break were fair and the handicapper continues to relent. Cheekpieces applied.

Form: 530P-47

Game In The Park^h¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Kai Lenihan⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N B King| OR: 70

14/1

Record stands at 0-9 over fences and he faces a stiff task from 9 lb out of the handicap here.

Form: 445434

Alburn^h⁴³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Philip Armson⁽⁷⁾| T: R J Armson| OR: 69| DWS

50/1

Poor maiden chaser, who has undergone a wind op since finishing a remote fifth at Stratford last month. Hard to warm to from 10 lb out of the handicap. Engaged 3.52 Stratford Monday.

Form: 6-774P5

Forecasts

Achy Breaky Heart (7/4), Railway Muice (11/4), Blue N Yellow (10/3), Ship Of The Fen (5/1), Game In The Park (14/1), Alburn (50/1)

The mare ACHY BREAKY HEART still has low mileage over fences and is appealing on the back of a solid second at Newton Abbot, for which a 2 lb rise looks fair. The booking of Paddy Brennan certainly adds to her appeal. Railway Muice has been hit with a hefty rise following his Market Rasen success, but he is feared greatly all the same and Blue N Yellow is dangerous to discount off a falling mark.